Flower: 'Anderson should be fit'
Published: 25 October 2010

Andy Flower revealed James Anderson has returned to bowling following his rib injury, as the England squad prepares to fly to Australia on Friday October 29.

The England Team Director said Anderson had resumed bowling during the squad’s pre-tour camp in Loughborough.

Flower is confident the 28-year-old quick will be match-fit for two of their three first-class warm-up games after sustaining the injury while boxing on England’s preparation trip to Germany.

Leader of the attack

Anderson is the leader of the attack and the only seamer in the party with Ashes experience Down Under.

Despite the set-back however, Flower defended the nature of the preparation trip and insisted Anderson will be ready for the first Test in Brisbane next month.

"We’re looking forward to the tour and we feel prepared." said the 42-year-old former Zimbabwe international.

"Anderson is good. We had fitness testing and medical screening at Loughborough and put the bowlers through their paces.

"He’s already bowling at around 75% so he should be fine for the first Test.

"More than likely he’ll be ready for two of our warm-up games so I’m confident he’ll also get enough overs under his belt.

"I don’t have any regrets about the camp at all. It was an excellent camp.

"I think the players and management that were involved did things that they have never done before and might never do again and it was a very healthy experience."

Pietersen: special

Flower also defended under-fire batsman Kevin Pietersen, who’s two game spell in South Africa saw him fail to end his run of low scores.

Pietersen managed only two innings for Dolphins in the country of his birth, falling for 36 and a second-ball duck.

But despite his lack of runs, Flower thinks the 30-year-old has benefitted from the experience and can find his form ahead of the Ashes.

He said: "I expect great things from Kevin, he is a special player.

"He enjoyed his trip to South Africa and he’s in a very good state of mind ready for the tour.

"He didn’t really get much opportunity out there because of the way the Tour panned out but he did some good work with the Natal side and I think it will have stood him in good stead.

"He feels good about his cricket and feels confident going to Australia."

Andy Flower was speaking at an announcement by the ECB/SKY Sports Coach Education Scheme.Since its launch four years ago the Scheme has graduated 33,000 coaches, including 10,000 in the last year alone.